So you’re eager to dive into the world of blogging but there’s just one obstacle; you don’t consider yourself skilled in any area. No worries. I’ll explain how to choose a niche that’s right for you as well as which blog niches to avoid. If you’re thinking, “I want to start a blog. I don’t have expertise in anything. What should I write about?” – you’re in the right place.
Starting a Blog When You Lack Skills: What Should You Blog About?
Do I need to be an expert to start a blog?
Many people think they need to be an expert in something to get started, and then get paralyzed with fear thinking they’re not good enough and never take the leap.
There’s a quote I read somewhere: “There are people less qualified than you, doing things you want to do, because they believe in themselves and take action”
Here’s the key thing to remember: take action.
You don’t need to be an expert in order to transform your passion into a business. Let go of any feelings of “imposter syndrome.” Creeping in.
Believe me when I say that with some Googling during your time, you’d be amazed at what you can accomplish.
I’ve heard of people who used Google to figure out how to open a restaurant and another who built their house from scratch thanks to watching YouTube DIY videos. Yup.
We are fortunate enough to live in an era of information where platforms like Google and ChatGPT provide us with so much information. Literally a google search away.
So don’t stress yourself out trying to be the best in your field. You have what it takes to start, as long as you’re motivated and ready to put in the effort.
You do not need to be an expert on a subject in order to build a business around it.
Passion is Your Strength
So there’s this great debate of ‘choose something you’re passionate about’ then there’s the other side which says “choose profit over passion”.
The second argument assumes you will start outsourcing writers anyway and will not be writing content directly. Which is why their argument of you don’t need to be super passionate about comes in.
My position is more with the first but also more nuanced. I believe passion is super important. Choose something you’re passionate about. But of course not as nichy as ‘Middle Age elf music’. It also needs to be profitable.
For me, the whole you will outsource your writing anyways argument is not true for everyone. I know people who still write their own content themselves, no matter how big they are. So choosing profit over passion in this case would be like pulling teeth if you ended up having to write about organizing your house if you HATE home décor.
Plus, you know what’s pretty common? Most folks get 6 months into a blog, and then suddenly, they hit the brakes. But let me tell you, that’s a big mistake. Because right around the 6-8 month mark is when things usually start picking up, especially if you’ve been putting in the effort.
That’s why I keep stressing the importance of choosing a niche that genuinely interests you. It’s what will keep you going during those initial months when things might not seem too exciting.
How to Figure out Your Passions in Life
Obviously, this is a big one. And can’t answer that for you. But let’s start by identifying your passions in life.
Take out a piece of paper and jot down what you enjoy doing during your free time. Consider what crosses your mind when you’re about to fall asleep or what thoughts occupy your mind while taking a shower– those kinds of things.
Now here’s the important part; what topics or activities light up your world? The things that bring excitement into your life. That enthusiasm will naturally shine through in your writing. It’s what will attract readers who share your interests.
But here’s the catch – you don’t have to be head over heels in love, with it.
As long as you don’t really dislike it and it aligns with your values then that’s ok.
Just remember to never compromise on your values. For example, I would never endorse anything related to alcohol or adult content because it doesn’t sit well with me. We all have are own values and limits. What are yours? Always keep those at the back of your head. Your moral compass in some sorts.
Use Your Personal Experiences: Your Life Story Matters
Can you Bring something to the table? I can’t tell you the amount of times I come across a blog with no personality. Especially with the rise of Chat GPT. It doesn’t make readers want to come back. Make sure you have a voice. Something. Anything.
Your life is filled with experiences. Share your stories, challenges and triumphs.
Readers can only, but connect with you.
Create a List of Achievements you have Accomplished
You know many successful blogs are all about teaching people how to do things. For example, there’s a blog called “Healthy Eating Explorers” that educates people on maintaining a diet or “Adventure Travel Gurus” that provides guidance, on planning travel adventures.
Now take a moment. Reflect on your life.
What achievements have you accomplished?
Maybe you’ve:
- Learnt a New Language: Mastering a language is an achievement that many people aspire to accomplish. Sharing your language learning journey and offering tips can be inspiring to people.
- Overcome a Serious Illness: If you’ve faced and overcome a serious condition your experience and resilience can inspire others who are going through similar challenges.
- Built a Small Business: Entrepreneurship is a popular topic and if you’ve successfully built and managed a business your valuable insights can actually guide business owners.
- Completed a Marathon: You could provide insider tips and guidance to help individuals accomplish this awesome feat.
These are all achievements that many people aspire to achieve- Writing about how you accomplished them build well with your blog niche.
Finding Your Blog Niche
How to find a profitable niche?
Here are important questions to ask yourself when choosing a blog niche:
Is it a timeless ‘evergreen’ niche that’s always relevant NO Matter What?
Evergreen content forms the foundation of long lasting and successful blogs. Think of content that remains relevant and valuable to your audience over time addressing their needs and desires.
Ultimately it all comes down to satisfying desires. Here are basic human desires that often lie within us even unconsciously:
1. Food: Food holds a significance beyond feeding us; it brings pleasure and carries cultural significance. Food is timeless because it is a human need. Sharing recipes, cooking tips or exploring topics like “The Art of Mastering Homemade Pizza” or “Discovering Thai Cooking” resonates with peoples love for food and culinary exploration.
2. Entertainment and Escapism: Many people look for entertainment as a means of escaping from life and finding relaxation. Evergreen content that dives into movies, books, video games or hobbies provides an outlet for this need. Articles such as “Essential Classic Movies Every Film Buff Should Watch”. Creating Your Dream Home Theater Experience” cater to our desire for these leisure activities.
3. Solving Common Problems: People are constantly searching for solutions to challenges they face in their lives. Evergreen content that offers advice or step by step guides to tackle these issues can strongly resonate with your audience. For example, you’ll often find articles, like “10 Strategies to Manage Stress” or “The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Budget That Actually Works” tackling the challenges that people face.
4. Emotional Connection: One important aspect that readers look for is a connection. Content that tells heartwarming stories provides advice on relationships or taps into shared emotions like love, fear or hope can create a bond with the audience. Posts like “Building Stronger Relationships; Communication Tips” or “The Power of Gratitude in Your Daily Life” establish that personal connection.
5. Hobbies and Interests: Many individuals have passions and interests they love to explore. Evergreen content that delves into hobbies like cooking, gardening or DIY crafts satisfies our desire for creativity and self-expression. Examples include “Mastering the Art of Watercolor Painting; A Comprehensive Guide” or “Discovering the Joy of Gardening.”
6. Inspiration and Motivation: People are drawn to stories and content that uplift and encourage them. Sharing success stories, personal experiences or profiles of individuals who have triumphed over obstacles can be incredibly inspiring. Consider titles such, as “How I Overcame Adversity to Build a Thriving Business; A Journey of Resilience” or “Inspirational Tales of Triumph; Stories That Ignite the Spirit. “Lifestyle and Well being.
7. Lifestyle and Well-being: Content related to wellness and lifestyle choices speak to our desire for a fulfilling life. Topics like “Achieving a Healthy Work Life Balance” or “Practicing Mindfulness for Inner Harmony” cater to these needs.
8. Financial Security: The pursuit of stability and financial security is a big one. Let’s face it everyone dreams of being financially independent. Content offering advice, investment strategies or money saving tips caters to this need. Topics like “Building Wealth for a Secure Future” or “Smart Money Management for Beginners” resonate with people’s financial ambitions.
Ultimately evergreen content that addresses these human fundamentals stands the test of time as it taps into our core needs, desires and aspirations. By creating content that speaks to these themes your blog can remain relevant and engaging for years.
Can you write about your blog niche daily, weekly and for many years to come?
Picking a very narrow topic like ‘Collectible Vintage Toy Restoration’ Ain’t Gonna Cut it.
On the other hand, focusing on a subject like ‘travel’ you could explore niches like ‘Solo Backpacking Adventures or ‘Budget Friendly Family Vacations.’ This way your blog name will accurately represents your interests, which is beneficial, for branding purposes and help people remember your blog.
By following this approach you can direct your writing efforts and even select a blog name that perfectly represents your content. This not helps with branding but aids in making your blog more memorable.
Is there an Audience Willing to Pay for This Blog Niche?
To figure out if your blog niche has the potential to generate profits and earn you money consider the following points:
1. Online Marketplaces: Take a look at marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon. If your chosen niche aligns with products sold on these platforms it indicates that there is a market for those items. For example, if you plan to write about jewelry and find jewelry listings on Etsy it means there is a paying audience.
On the other hand, if you want to write about types of seashells and find only one ebook without any reviews or visibility it could be an indication that there is limited demand in that sector.
2. Research Trends: Make sure to explore current trending topics. What are the gaps you can fill with your content?
3. Products for Your Audience: Consider whether there are existing products or services specifically designed for people in your niche. For instance, let’s say you want to write about raising rabbits.
If there are plenty of options, for rabbit food, cages and toys it means that rabbit owners are willing to invest in their pets. Another way to monetize your blog is by reviewing these products and earning affiliate commissions when your readers make purchases.
4. Ads Relevant to Keywords: Look up keywords related to your blogs topic. If you come across ads on platforms like Google, Facebook or Instagram it means companies are willing to pay for advertising to reach people interested in that niche. So, if you’re passionate about gardening and notice ads for gardening tools or organic pesticides while searching online, it’s an indication that you can monetize this niche through your blog.
Is this niche likely to remain relevant in the long-run?
As much as Barbienheimer is fascinating, it’s not going to be relevant in the next years. Avoid fads. Seasonal niches are complicated. You could do Christmas decorations or Halloween specific content but know that it will only be profitable during a few months a years. I don’t recommend starting your first blog with a seasonal niche. Maybe, later on when you have multiple blogs, you can use a seasonal blog to supplement your income.
Does this niche have more than one revenue stream?
Ever heard the saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”? This advice holds true for any investment. When choosing a topic for your blog it’s wise to consider if there are multiple streams to make money. In other words, can you make money in different ways in that niche?
Let’s take the example of a fitness focused blog. Can you explore revenue streams? Are there ways to monetize it? Think about whether you could create workout videos sell fitness equipment or offer coaching services. Each of these options has the potential to generate revenue on its own. Each of these possibilities has the potential to generate income independently.
By having multiple channels for income, within your chosen niche your blog becomes financially secure. It means you’re not solely relying on one method to make money.
What do People Blog About: Blog Topics to Steal
If you’re now warming up to which niche you’d like, or still stuck- have a look at these blog posts topics for inspo.
The Worst Blog Niches to Avoid:
What niche or topic should I avoid to write blogs?
1. Health and Medical Information:
For example: “Cancer Treatment Options” or “Rare Neurological Disorders”
Why: Providing reliable health information requires a high level of expertise and trustworthy sources. You need a hell of a lot of authority and expertise to rank for health topics before Google even considers ranking your blog.
2. Controversial or Sensitive Topics:
Example: ” Extremism” or “Controversial Conspiracy Theories”
Why: Although these subjects may initially grab the reader’s attention they often come with backlash limitations imposed by platforms and difficulties, in generating revenue due to concerns from advertisers.
3. Highly Specialized or Niche Industries:
Example: “Collecting Antique Spoons” or “Breeding Rare Goats”
Why: These niches may have a too small audience making it challenging to attract a substantial readership or monetize effectively.
4. Short-lived Trends:
Example: “Reviews on Fidget Spinners” or “Slime for Kids”
Why: Writing about trends that quickly fade away means your content will become irrelevant over time making it difficult to sustain a blog.
5. Over-Regulated Industries:
Example; “Legal Claims, for Medical Negligence” or ” Cryptocurrency Regulations “
Why: These niches require legal and compliance knowledge. You want to avoid as any missteps can lead to severe consequences or legal complications.
6. Niches, with Limited Monetization Opportunities:
Example: “Urban Pigeon Watching”. “Dirt Collecting as a Hobby.”
Why: As fascinating dirt collecting as a hobby is, it’s very difficult to monetize.
7. Low Interest or “Boring” Topics:
Example: “Drywall Installation Techniques” or “Staple Types and Uses.”
Why: I get it, something that someone finds boring can be fascinating for another. However, the problem with these topics is that blogs centered around them might struggle to attract and retain readers due to levels of interest. Demand is too low, even if you provide a unique perspective or good content.
8. Highly Competitive Niches:
Examples: Think of niches like “Make Money Online” or “Digital Marketing.”
Why: These niches are already saturated with blogs and content making it tough for new bloggers to stand out and build an audience. You CAN still make it if you provide unique content that’s helpful. You just have to be smart about it.
9. Personalized or Highly Individual Topics:
Example: “My Daily Commute Diary” or “My morning routine.”
Why: Blogs that only focus on experiences or daily routines might not appeal to an audience unless you’re a super big personality with a ton of following. You also need to be able to integrate SEO if you choose to blog. Writing about your personal life without SEO means you won’t rank in search engines.
For this niche, vlogging could be a better option.
Related: Blogging vs Vlogging
Embrace Learning Along the Way:
Embrace the process of gaining knowledge along the way. NO ONE is born knowing it all. Even if you’re not an expert from the start you can develop expertise through research and just blogging.
Not a Nike endorsement But “Just Do It”. Literally.
Ready to Start a Blog? Let’s GO- you got this.
Here’s my step-by-step guide on: How to Start an Anonymous Blog INCOGNITO and Make Money
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